Europe throws a lifeline to British expats fighting to vote

A rule banning British expats from voting at home has been labelled as a "punishment"
by the European Commission, which is pushing to change the rules.

European commissioner Viviane Reding is pushing to win back the vote for expatsPhoto: JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images)

By Justin Harper

10:00AM BST 24 May 2013

British expats fighting for their voting rights to be restored have been given a lifeline by the European Commission.

The commission will seek to enable Britons abroad to keep their right to vote in the UK - a right they currently lose after 15 years of living overseas.

There have been a number of high-profile court cases recently of British expats fighting to keep their votes, all of which have ended in defeat.

Earlier this month, 91-year-old British war veteran Harry Shindler, a long-term resident of Italy, lost his European Court battle to win back his vote.

However, in a press conference last week to present the 2013 EU Citizenship Report, commission vice-president Viviane Reding said: "We will work on ways to enable EU citizens to keep their right to vote in national elections in their country of origin.

“The practice in some member states of depriving their citizens of their right to vote once they move to another EU country is effectively tantamount to punishing citizens for having exercised their right to free movement."

The EU has no legal power to force the UK to change its rules, but the commission is highlighting the issue to put political pressure on countries that disenfranchise citizens such as the UK, Ireland and Denmark.

Giles Goodall, chair of Brussels and Europe Liberal Democrats, said: "The main argument for the 15-year rule - that people's links with the UK diminish over time - is simply no longer valid in today's world. These days it's as easy to stay in touch and engaged in politics whether you live on the Costa del Sol or in the Cotswolds.”

There are about 1.7 million Brits living in other EU countries who could see their voting rights restored. It is hoped any U-turn by the Government would apply to all Britons living overseas, not just those in the EU.

While the commission has merely made a proposal, with no formal procedure announced, it is still positive news for millions of Britons across the globe shut out of national politics.

Mr Goodall noted: “The key thing is that the commission has taken this up and is making it a European issue now - this in itself is progress and will put pressure on the UK to reconsider the policy.”

One solution used elsewhere in the EU is the Austrian model, where they have an "opt-in" system for overseas citizens to regularly renew their registration on the electoral roll. Those who are no longer interested in voting at home just drop off the list.

Brian Cave, a France-based expat who has campaigned for many years for the right to vote, said: “A British person abroad in Europe is an ambassador of Britain. It is logical that he or she has a right to have an opinion in both camps just a Pole or German living in Britain should enjoy the right to express an opinion in both countries.”

Some Britons abroad are allowed to keep their voting rights such as those serving in the armed forces. However, those living in British Territories such as Bermuda and the Cayman Islands are treated as residing overseas.